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Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Took a long time to find this dollar coin. It is fairly common and circulated normally but since they were not popular I did find any until now.

Popular in Ecuador I got this after an Ecuadorian man in front of me paid with a roll of these. I looked through most of them because I knew the cashier and got this one since it was new for me. Most of those dollar coin were very worn.

Monday, September 29, 2014

This one may have that die clash variety known as the Hanging 3. It is just a die clash and has no extra value but it is hard to see on darker coins. There should be a curve on top of the 3 that looks like an extra 3. I kind of see one on this coin but it maybe dirt.

The mark is actually part of the queen's head that got pressed onto the reverse die. It then gets stamped on every other coin made. This is an error but not a real collectible type. It is a common variety that can be seen on every coin type.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

First of the 2009 presidential dollars back when some people thought they may actually become popular. President Harrison is on the coin and he only lasted one month in office before dying.

Harrison was also one of the oldest presidents. He never wore coats or hats so when he rode his horse during his inauguration ceremony he was exposed to the cold and rainy day. His record long speech also did not help. Officially he died of pneumonia but a 2014 revisit of his case showed he died of a type of Typhoid fever common around the area of the White House at the time.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Apparently there is a copper-nickel and stainless steel version of this coin. In 2005 the Chinese government replaced the more expensive copper-nickel mix with the cheaper stainless steel. This is a trend all governments eventually do, maybe even the U.S. soon.

As far as I can tell the design did not change it still has the ZHONGGUA RENMIN YINHANG country name, the orchids, the date, and YI JIAO denomination.

Not afraid to change metals this coin has been issued in aluminum, stainless steel, and copper-nickel. So which ever metal is cheapest gets used.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Yet that is where I found it. To get any dollar coin after 2011 you have to order them from the mint or buy them from other dealers. They still have no extra value if less than perfect so many are used at face value.

On the obverse between the 1901-1909 is a green spot, that is damaging verdigris. This is the reason it was placed into circulation by some collector.

Theodore Roosevelt was and still is one of the most popular presidents. Collectors of coins, presidential memorabilia, and Roosevelt historical made this the most common presidential dollar coin for 2013.

Monday, September 22, 2014

Finally found a buffalo nickel in my change that had a readable date. It has been over two years since I found another one like it.

The coin is very dirty and kind of burnt which may have left it unnoticed in circulation for a while before I found it. I actually found another 1927 nickel back in 2007 so they do not seem that rare in circulation.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

This is the third time I got a coin that looks exactly like this in my change. It could be damage or a missing clad layer error.

There are no circular grooves common in drilled coins. The surface is exposed zinc core is flat and even.

The edge is also perfectly smooth and no hint of altering.

The back may be dirty but it near perfect with no warping and what looks like full steps.

This is not a true Missing Clad Layer error because the front would be stamped. So it could be a lamination error. Lamination errors happen when part of the metal peels off. So is it possible that whole front peeled off?

Still I think it is damaged but not being an expert on errors I cannot say for sure. If you have any information just leave a comment below.

Friday, September 19, 2014

The last red seal $2 U.S. notes issued were these series 1963-A. Yes I got this in my change at the end of the day. Most stores do not like to carryover halves, dollar coins, or two dollar bills in their registers. Asking for any funny money as change is a good idea if your the last customer.

About 50 years old this note has exceeded the limits of circulating notes, although I suspect this may have been used by a former collector. Trying to sell a note valued at $7.00 may not be worth it especially when collectors want perfect notes worth thousands. It is not uncommon for collectors to giveaway or use notes or coins that seem rare but are not. Recently I gave a new friend some halves just because they never owned any. To me it was worth to see the joy in their face and here stories of old money the once saw.

Type: $2 U.S. NoteYear: 1963-ADate Printed: July 1964 - June 1965Printings: 3,200,000Run: 28th from 25-29 of the A15360001A - A18560000AValue:$7.00 in Very-Fine

Do
you have a two dollar bill and want to know its value? Leave a
comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history
for you.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

One of the largest segment of tourist to NYC is from Brazil. In general Brazilians tend to carry a lot of money and some are kind enough to leave some of their money if asked. That is how I got this older 2 reais note.

Blue and black ink with the head of República on the front, BANCO CENTRAL DO BRASIL, DEUS SEJA LOUVADO (God Be Praised), serial number, and signatures.

Issued in 2000 this was the first 2 reais note. It has all the typical security features of modern notes like micro-writing, watermarks, and anti-copying designs. By 2005 the 1 real notes was discontinued and this 2 reais note was the smallest circulating note still being printed.

In 2010 a currency redesign was needed to serve a healthy economy. More security features were added and different sizes were made for the visually impaired. Most of the artistic design elements stayed the same and the older notes were not demonetized so they still circulate.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

My coin collecting rule is usually just anything that is odd, 50+ year old, non-U.S., or brand new. This is an exception because it has an S mint mark for San Francisco. True it is still common but I see S mint marks the least among all coins so I choose to keep any I find.

This was the last S mint marked nickel issued for circulation. Over 238 million were made so they will never likely be worth more than metal value in circulated condition.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

This seems to be the most common U.S. coin for 2014 yet it took over 8 months to find one in my change. The Denver mint serves California so they pump out coins at a higher rate. While NYC is a tourist trap most of them are not from the west so finding any D coin in my change takes time.

Except for the long wait to find one this coin is not special or rare. I actually found two of them around the same time.

Monday, September 15, 2014

The second most common 5 Rappen is this one from 1982. Still it is nice to get an 30+ year older foreign coin in my change. This is the first 5 rappen I found in the wild and probably only got it because it was from a take a penny, leave a penny tray.

This one has a fruited wreath, I think grapes, with the value in the center. The front has the typical Confederatio Helvetica which basically means the Swiss Confederation. It also has what looks loke Liberty wearing a LIBERTY head band.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Still finding a steady stream of German euro coins. Although I have seen more Brazilian tourists than German ones the Germans are more likely to use their coins for change.

Watching how tourist use money is very odd. A lot of them keep travel wallets strapped inside their underwear. In summer and winter that means soggy sweaty notes. Brazilians and Europeans do this the most. Asian and Arabic tourist use normal wallets but tend to throw money around like it was worthless.

One thing most tourist have in common is a dislike for coins. I have seen them refuse change even in large amounts. The American nickel and dime seems to confuse them the most. Since nickels are larger than dimes they often think they are worth more. Accidentally or purposefully using their native coins happens more often among Canadians and Europeans, seldom it happens with Arabic countries.

Friday, September 12, 2014

Well New at the time. The term new was used from 1971 to 1981 in order to let the British public know that there was a new monetary system in use. 1971 marked the first year used the decimal system that replaced a confusing pre-decimal coinage.

Most countries have changed monetary systems in some way in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The attitudes of the public were hesitant but accepting. Now in America it would be a protest filled debate that would drag on.

As time moves on coins and currency need updating for many reasons it is just the way of things. Bracing the public by using the term new is a good way. Changing a coin's size or metal is normal but refusing to see that money as real or calling it fiat is just paranoid delusion.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Lucky 13. It has been 13 years since the September 11 attacks and it is not luck that we have not been heavily attacked by Muslim extremist. Despite the fact that Islamic attackers are increasing their evil ways America has been safer on our own soil than anywhere else on this planet.

Muslim, Islamic, and any other version of the same extremists look like normal men and women. They come from every level of wealth and the only thing they have in common is a hatred towards Americans, other religions, and women. Sympathizers, conspiracy theorists, and deniers are all equally evil.

Monday, September 08, 2014

Ted Baker Medalet (medalet - a medal smaller than an inch) found in certain Ted Baker products, mostly leather wallets. It seems to brass and like all medals has two sides.

Ted Baker is a clothing store out of London. Like most international stores they branched out into accessories where they place these medalets for mens leather goods. I found this one in a take a penny leave a penny tray. I assume someone got rid of their change from their coin wallet and this went with it.

On one side is Ted Baker's founder Ray Kelvin who is camera shy and blocking his face. His clothing hints that he is well dressed. The founding year of Ted Baker, 1988, is encircling Kelvin. Not naming the store after himself is another thing the Kelvin does to stay away from the spotlight.

The other side has a compass with TEDS at the compass points instead of NESW. The rhyme East, West, Ted is best encircles the compass.

Sunday, September 07, 2014

I have that arbitrary 50 year or older coin rule. That means in a few months I will showcase 1965 coins, all of which are as common as this nickel.

Found two of these almost at the same time in my change. Common enough but being 51 years old still makes them tougher to find than a 1983 nickel. Like most older nickels this one was pressed well and still has great detail.

Saturday, September 06, 2014

Second Malaysian coin in a week and the reason I gave last time may still be valid. Regions in the news tend to bring out the traveling reporters. It is another 10 sen coin that a friend gave to me after they got it as a dime in change.

Just like that last 10 sen coin this one has some minor doubling around the date. I am pretty sure it is machine doubling. Not to bad mouth the minting facilities of Malaysia but these coins are not the highest quality.

Nevertheless I appreciate the effort. The coin features a flower on the date side. The other side has a Congkak game in process. This is an ancient board game where players take turn trying to empty each hole.

Friday, September 05, 2014

Not the silver version but the plain old copper-nickel one. Because of WWII they stopped making this copper-nickel version of the coin. Nickel was needed to make weapons and ammunition so they temporarily switched to partial silver nickel in 1942.

This was only the fourth year of Jefferson nickel and it was the first coin to need a sudden metal change. Of course they needed to make a minor design change which was to add the mint marks to the top of Monticello. Since this one has no mint mark anywhere it is easily recognized as a copper-nickel version.

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